The Science of Happiness
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PSYCHOLOGIST DACHER KELTNER GUIDES YOU THROUGH A PRACTICE TO HELP YOU SEE THE GOOD THINGS IN YOUR LIFE THAT YOU MIGHT OTHERWISE OVERLOOK. HOW TO DO THIS PRACTICE: 1. Sit or lay down somewhere comfortable. You may close your eyes if you wish, and take a slow, deep breath in to ground into the present moment. Then, scan your body from head to toe, noticing how you’re feeling in this moment. Let worries and plans clear from your mind. 2. Start by thinking about all the things that make your life comfortable: Clean water on tap, light at the flip of a switch, a roof over your head to protect you from the weather, warmth, and comfort when it gets windy, rainy, or cold. 3. Let your mind wander to all the millions of people who have worked hard to make your life more comfortable: Those who plant and harvest the food you eat, who bring it to markets, people who ensure the water we drink is clean, delivery drivers, teachers, all the people who create art and music and books and films and all the things that can bring us so much meaning, and so on. 4. Think about the acquaintances who bring richness to your life, like a colleague, neighbor, or someone you often see at the gym or a coffee shop. 5. Take a moment to think about what you’re really grateful for today, right now. 6. Notice how you’re feeling now, compared to when you started, and then start to bring movement back to your body, wiggling fingers and toes, maybe slowly standing up. 7. If you have the time, spend a few minutes journaling about what you thought about. TODAY’S HAPPINESS BREAK HOST: is the host of https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-science-of-happiness/id1340505607 podcast and is a co-instructor of the Greater Good Science Center’s popular online course of the same name. He’s also a professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley. This practice was created by , who’s the director of THE CENTER FOR INTEGRATIVE HEALTH AND WELLNESS https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/integrative-health at the Ohio State University. Learn more about some of her work here: HTTPS://MIND-BODYHEALTH.OSU.EDU/ https://mind-bodyhealth.osu.edu/ MORE RESOURCES FROM THE GREATER GOOD SCIENCE CENTER: Try GGSC’s online Gratitude Journal, Thnx4: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/2S4E4BX6 https://tinyurl.com/2s4e4bx6 Take our Gratitude Quiz: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/YHBZ6CWV https://tinyurl.com/yhbz6cwv Four Great Gratitude Strategies: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/2MUYFF64 https://tinyurl.com/2muyff64 Is Gratitude Good for You?: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/YCKNM2RU https://tinyurl.com/ycknm2ru Three Surprising Ways Gratitude Works at Work: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/YC2C8Y4N https://tinyurl.com/yc2c8y4n WE LOVE HEARING FROM YOU! TELL US ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH PRACTICING GRATITUDE. EMAIL US AT HAPPINESSPOD@BERKELEY.EDU OR USE THE HASHTAG #HAPPINESSPOD. FIND US ON APPLE PODCASTS: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/2P9H5AAP https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aap HELP US SHARE HAPPINESS BREAK! Leave us a 5-star review and copy and share this link: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/2P9H5AAP https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aap TRANSCRIPT: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/R6PKW2XX https://tinyurl.com/r6pkw2xx
One way to feel more thankful for things is to imagine life without them. We explore a practice shown to help you see the bright side, even when you feel down. We know gratitude is good for us, but what if we’re struggling to feel it? This week’s guest, author and podcast producer Stephanie Foo, finds herself missing her close-knit “chosen family” in California since moving to New York. Foo tries a practice called mental subtraction, where she imagines her life without New York. Later, gratitude researcher Ernst Bohlmeijer shares how gratitude practices can reshape our emotions and possibly our whole outlook, and how the Mental Subtraction of Positive Events practice can be antidote to taking things for granted. PRACTICE: __ __ FIND THE FULL MENTAL SUBTRACTION OF POSITIVE EVENTS PRACTICE AT OUR GREATER GOOD IN ACTION WEBSITE: HTTPS://GGIA.BERKELEY.EDU/PRACTICE/MENTAL_SUBTRACTION_POSITIVE_EVENTS https://ggia.berkeley.edu/practice/mental_subtraction_positive_events TODAY’S GUESTS: is a radio producer and author of the book . Learn more about Stephanie and her book: https://www.stephaniefoo.me/ Follow Stephanie on Twitter: https://twitter.com/imontheradio Follow Stephanie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foofoofoo/ Follow Stephanie on Facebook:HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/YX6PWDNF https://tinyurl.com/yx6pwdnf is a psychology professor who studies gratitude at the University of Twente in The Netherlands.Learn more about Ernst and his work: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/2P92P6VN https://tinyurl.com/2p92p6vn SCIENCE OF HAPPINESS EPISODES LIKE THIS ONE: __ Four Great Gratitude Strategies: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/2P9BUVKD https://tinyurl.com/2p9buvkd Tips for Keeping a Gratitude Journal: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/3JDBE52U https://tinyurl.com/3jdbe52u Five Science-Backed Strategies for More Happiness: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/BD4USSJT https://tinyurl.com/bd4ussjt __ Transcript: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/4R84778R https://tinyurl.com/4r84778r
Indigenous scholar Dr. Yuria Celidwen guides us in a reflection on our interconnection with water, encouraging us to see it as more than just a vital resource, but as kin. HOW TO DO THIS PRACTICE: Last week we explored the scientifically backed healing qualities of water, focusing on how connecting with water through sound, sight, and touch can support our well being. This week, indigenous scholar Dr. Yuria Celidwen guides us in a reflection on our interconnection with water, encouraging us to see it as more than just a vital resource, but as kin. __ __ TODAY’S HAPPINESS BREAK HOST: DR. YURIA CELIDWEN is an indigenous scholar of contemplative studies, and author of the new book, FLOURISHING KIN: INDIGENOUS FOUNDATIONS FOR COLLECTIVE WELL-BEING https://www.soundstrue.com/products/flourishing-kin?srsltid=AfmBOoqkuMiNsQ4S0g-V-juqEJLCyY6WWHcpTmqZGb4SFwryAGnDxJa9. Read more on Yuria: HTTPS://WWW.YURIACELIDWEN.COM/#ABOUT https://www.yuriacelidwen.com/#about Follow Yuria on Linkedin: HTTPS://WWW.LINKEDIN.COM/IN/YURIACELIDWEN/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/yuriacelidwen/ Read Yuria’s work on kin relationality: HTTPS://WWW.FRONTIERSIN.ORG/JOURNALS/PSYCHOLOGY/ARTICLES/10.3389/FPSYG.2023.994508/FULL https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.994508/full IF YOU ENJOYED THIS HAPPINESS BREAK, YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: __ __ CHECK OUT THESE EPISODES OF THE SCIENCE OF HAPPINESS: __ THE HEALING EFFECTS OF EXPERIENCING WILDLIFE https://tinyurl.com/49pkk6eu HOW TO DO GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT (AND YOURSELF) https://tinyurl.com/5b26zwkx HOW TO USE YOUR BODY TO RELAX YOUR MIND (THE SCIENCE OF HAPPINESS) https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/podcasts/item/progressive_muscle_relaxation_Nelufar_Hedayat __ We’d love to hear how this practice goes for you! Let us know how you connect with water in your life. EMAIL US at happinesspod@berkeley.edu FIND US ON SPOTIFY: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/6S39RZUS https://tinyurl.com/6s39rzus HELP US SHARE HAPPINESS BREAK! Rate us and copy and share this link: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/6S39RZUS https://tinyurl.com/6s39rzus Transcript:
Discover how connecting with water through all five senses can support well-being as our guest experiences the calming and refreshing effects of natural waters.
A guided drawing meditation to help you break out of stale thought patterns and maybe even enter a state of flow. No talent required. HOW TO DO THIS PRACTICE: __ __ Today’s Happiness Break host: Chris Murchison is a meditation teacher, artist and speaker. He currently works as an independent advisor for organizations interested in improving their work cultures. Check out Chris’s GGSC profile: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/32HTUT6N https://tinyurl.com/32htut6n Learn more about Chris’s art and other work: HTTPS://CHRISMURCHISON.COM/ABOUT https://chrismurchison.com/about Follow Chris on Instagram: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/4AUXK3UR https://tinyurl.com/4auxk3ur Transcript: TINYURL.COM/4CMUCASC https://tinyurl.com/4cmucasc
We explore Día de los Muertos as a ritual that nurtures community, imbues loss with meaning, and helps us process grief while also connecting through shared joy. Summary: We investigate how Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, rituals strengthen family ties and cultural identity, and learn about its evolution from a 3,000 year old practice to a global celebration. We look at key elements like the ofrenda and explore how commercialization—like Mattel’s Day of the Dead Barbie—raises questions about balancing tradition with modern influences. Guest: Michelle Telléz is an Associate Professor in Mexican-American studies at Arizona State University. Learn more about Michelle: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/2PH3CAN7 https://tinyurl.com/2ph3can7 Guest: Mathew Sandoval, a.ka. "Dr. Muerte," an artist and Associate Professor at Arizona State University. He is a leading expert on Día de los Muertos. Learn more about Mathew: MATHEWSANDOVAL.COM http://mathewsandoval.com/ Transcript coming soon.
Discover Humming Bee Breath (Bhramari Pranayama), a soothing breathing technique that uses gentle humming to promote relaxation and mental calm. It’s important to take a moment to pause and take a long, slow exhale as we navigate life. IN OUR PODCAST SERIES, "BREATHE AWAY ANXIETY, https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/podcasts/series/breathe_away_anxiety_the_science_of_happiness_podcast" we explore ancient breathing techniques alongside cutting-edge research that reveals the powerful effects of slow, controlled breathing on our mental and physical well-being. We also share Happiness Break meditations to guide you through these science-backed methods, helping you reduce anxiety and cultivate calm in your everyday life. Summary: Priyanka Gupta guides us through Bhrmari Pranayama, also known as Humming Bee Breath. Regular practice of this calming technique has been shown to improve sleep, reduce anxiety, and support cardiovascular health. TRANSCRIPT: https://tinyurl.com/549v3w62 Time: 15 minutes, or as long as it feels right. How To Do This Practice: __ __ Guest: Priyanka Gupta is a yoga and meditation instructor. Learn more about Priyanka: https://www.yogawithpriyanka.ca https://www.youtube.com/yogawithpriyanka HTTPS://WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/YOGAWITHPRIYANKA https://www.instagram.com/yogawithpriyanka HTTPS://LINKTR.EE/YOGAWITHPRIYANKA https://linktr.ee/yogawithpriyanka Related Science of Happiness episodes: The Science of Humming (Bhramari Pranayama): https://tinyurl.com/549v3w62 How Breathe Away Anxiety (Cyclic Sighing): https://tinyurl.com/4jyvkj4t How To Tune Out The Noise: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/4HHEKJUH https://tinyurl.com/4hhekjuh Related Happiness Break episodes: A Breathing Technique To Help You Relax (Cyclic Sighing): https://tinyurl.com/3dtwyk44 A Mindful Breath Meditation, With Dacher Keltner: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/MR9D22KR https://tinyurl.com/mr9d22kr
Did you know humming can soothe your nervous system? Join us as marathon runner and activist Cal Calamia tries Bhramari Pranayama, a yogic humming breath technique, and we explore the research behind its stress-relieving power. SUMMARY: Cal Calamia, the first nonbinary winner of the San Francisco Marathon, explores Bhramari Pranayama, an ancient yogic breathing technique that uses humming to promote relaxation. Dr. Gunjan Trivedi later explains how this "humming bee breath" enhances heart rate variability and why it’s key to managing stress. Part of our ongoing series, Breathe Away Anxiety: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/4JYVKJ4T https://tinyurl.com/4jyvkj4t TIME: 15 minutes, or as long as it feels right. HOW TO DO THIS PRACTICE: __ __ GUEST: Cal Calamia is an activist, teacher, poet, and the first nonbinary winner of the San Francisco marathon. Learn more about Cal: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/25FT296X https://tinyurl.com/25ft296x GUEST: Dr. Gunjan Trivedi is the cofounder of Society for Energy & Emotions at Wellness Space in Ahmedabad, India. Learn more about Dr. Trivedi and Wellness Space: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/R53X6X3X https://tinyurl.com/r53x6x3x Read Dr. Trivedi's study about Bhramari Pranayama: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/2XNJK6AH https://tinyurl.com/2xnjk6ah RELATED SCIENCE OF HAPPINESS EPISODES: How Breathe Away Anxiety (Cyclic Sighing): https://tinyurl.com/4jyvkj4t How To Tune Out The Noise: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/4HHEKJUH https://tinyurl.com/4hhekjuh RELATED HAPPINESS BREAK EPISODES: Happiness Break: A Breathing Technique To Help You Relax (Cyclic Sighing): HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/3DTWYK44 https://tinyurl.com/2xnjk6ah A Mindful Breath Meditation, With Dacher Keltner: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/MR9D22KR https://tinyurl.com/mr9d22kr TRANSCRIPT: Coming soon.
Dr. David Spiegel guides you through cyclic sighing, a breathwork practice that helps reduce stress and anxiety. Summary: Dr. David Spiegel guides you through a simple yet powerful breathwork practice that can help reduce stress, anxiety, and boost overall well-being. Backed by Stanford research, this simple technique uses slow, controlled exhales to calm the nervous system and improve overall well-being. Transcript: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/3DTWYK44 https://tinyurl.com/3dtwyk44 Time: 5 minutes __ PREPARE: Find a comfortable seated or standing position in a quiet environment. Relax your shoulders and jaw. FIRST INHALE: Inhale slowly and deeply through your nose. Start with your abdomen, allowing it to expand (diaphragmatic breathing) as you fill your lungs about halfway. Hold this breath briefly. SECOND INHALE: Continue inhaling through your nose, now expanding your chest to completely fill your lungs. Hold this combined breath (abdomen and chest filled) for a moment. EXHALE: Exhale slowly and completely through your mouth. Make sure the exhale is gentle and lasts about twice as long as the combined inhales. REPEAT THE CYCLE: Repeat the inhale sequence for a total of 3 cycles (or as desired): Start with a diaphragmatic inhale through your nose, expanding your abdomen. Follow with a chest expansion inhale through your nose to fill your lungs completely. Hold briefly after each combined inhale. Exhale slowly and completely through your mouth, ensuring it's twice as long as the inhales. REFLECT AND RELAX: After completing the cycles, take a moment to observe how your body feels. Notice any sensations of relaxation, reduced tension, or a calmer state of mind. __ Guest: Dr. David Spiegel is Willson Professor and Associate Chair of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine. He is also the co-founder of the clinically backed self-hypnosis app REVERI https://www.reveri.com/. Read Dr. Spiegel’s cyclic sighing study here: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/MRXBKYR2 https://tinyurl.com/mrxbkyr2 Related Science of Happiness episodes: Breathe Away Anxiety (Cyclic Sighing): https://tinyurl.com/3u7vsrr5 How To Tune Out The Noise: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/4HHEKJUH https://tinyurl.com/4hhekjuh Related Happiness Break episodes: A Mindful Breath Meditation, With Dacher Keltner: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/MR9D22KR https://tinyurl.com/mr9d22kr Follow us on Instagram: @SCIENCEOFHAPPINESSPOD https://www.instagram.com/scienceofhappinesspod/#
We explore cyclic sighing, a simple breathing technique that can help lift your mood and lower anxiety by supporting your parasympathetic nervous system. Summary: Cyclic sighing is a breathing exercise that involves inhaling through your nose, filling your lungs, and then slowly exhaling through your mouth. The idea is to inhale briefly but deeply, and then exhale for longer. Research suggests that the slow exhale is what's most relaxing, and can trigger a self-soothing response in the parasympathetic nervous system. Time: 5 minutes __ __ Guest: Sarah Gerhardt is a pro-surfer chemistry professor based out of Santa Cruz, California Guest: Dr. David Spiegel is Willson Professor and Associate Chair of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine. He is also the co-founder of the clinically backed self-hypnosis app REVERI https://www.reveri.com/. Read Dr. Spiegel’s cyclic sighing study here: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/MRXBKYR2 https://tinyurl.com/mrxbkyr2 RELATED SCIENCE OF HAPPINESS EPISODES: How To Tune Out The Noise: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/4HHEKJUH https://tinyurl.com/4hhekjuh Related Happiness Break episodes: A Mindful Breath Meditation, With Dacher Keltner: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/MR9D22KR https://tinyurl.com/mr9d22kr TRANSCRIPT TO COME.
Dr. Kristin Neff guides us in a self-compassionate touch exercise, and shares the many research-backed reasons to cultivate kindness towards oneself. Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/5xt3mz3h Summary: Dr. Kristin Neff guides us through various practices of self-compassionate touch, such as placing hands over the heart or cradling the face, to provide comfort and support. Research shows that self-compassion can improve mental and physical well-being and activates the parasympathetic nervous system, reducing stress. GUEST: Dr. Kristin Neff is an associate professor in the University of Texas at Austin's department of educational psychology. She's also the co-author of 'MINDFUL SELF-COMPASSION FOR BURNOUT, https://self-compassion.org/mindful-self-compassion-for-burnout/' which offers tools to help individuals heal and recharge from burnout. How To Do This Self-Compassionate Touch Practice: Take a moment to try these different touches and see which feels most supportive to you. Whenever you feel stressed or upset, or just need some extra support, use this compassionate touch to remind yourself that you’re here for you. Research shows the practice works best when practiced regularly. Duration: 20 seconds, practiced daily or as often as you can. Find a comfortable space. Sit or stand somewhere you feel relaxed and at ease. Try out these practices while thinking kind words to yourself, as though you were comforting a dear friend in distress. 1. Touch Your Heart: Place both hands gently over the center of your chest, one on top of the other. Apply just enough pressure to feel connected, but not uncomfortable. Focus on the warmth of your touch. 2. Feel Your Strength: If it feels right, make a gentle fist with your left hand, symbolizing strength, and place it over your heart. Rest your right hand on top of the fist to combine the feeling of strength and love. 3. Cradle Your Face: Gently cup each of your cheeks with your hands, holding your face as you would a loved one in distress. Let the touch be soft and caring. 4. Support Your Core: Place both hands over your solar plexus, just below your ribcage, and imagine you're holding and supporting your core. This can be particularly comforting if you're feeling fear or deep emotions. 5. Give Yourself a Hug: Cross your arms, resting each hand on the opposite shoulder. Gently squeeze yourself, adjusting the pressure to feel comforting but not overwhelming. RELATED SCIENCE OF HAPPINESS EPISODES: __ __ RELATED HAPPINESS BREAK MEDIATIONS: __ __
We explore the science behind how self-compassionate touch can help us feel better about ourselves. Link to transcript: https://tinyurl.com/4nm5827f Summary: Brittany Luce, host of NPR's "It's Been A Minute," shares her experience with self-compassionate touch. She did it for 20 seconds, almost daily. to quiet her inner critic and foster self-compassion, especially during moments of stress or self-judgment. Researcher Eli Susman also shares the fascinating science behind this practice, and how despite being short and sweet —it may still be an effective way to cultivate self compassion -- especially if you find ways to make it a habit. HOW TO DO THIS SELF-COMPASSIONATE TOUCH PRACTICE: Take a moment to try these different touches and see which feels most supportive to you. Whenever you feel stressed or upset, or just need some extra support, use this compassionate touch to remind yourself that you’re here for you. Research shows the practice works best when practiced regularly. Duration: 20 seconds, practiced daily or as often as you can. Find a comfortable space. Sit or stand somewhere you feel relaxed and at ease. Try out these micro practices while thinking kind words to yourself, as though you were comforting a dear friend in distress. 1. Touch Your Heart: Place both hands gently over the center of your chest, one on top of the other. Apply just enough pressure to feel connected, but not uncomfortable. Focus on the warmth of your touch. 2. Feel Your Strength: If it feels right, make a gentle fist with your left hand, symbolizing strength, and place it over your heart. Rest your right hand on top of the fist to combine the feeling of strength and love. 3. Cradle Your Face: Gently cup each of your cheeks with your hands, holding your face as you would a loved one in distress. Let the touch be soft and caring. 4. Support Your Core: Place both hands over your solar plexus, just below your ribcage, and imagine you're holding and supporting your core. This can be particularly comforting if you're feeling fear or deep emotions. 5. Give Yourself a Hug: Cross your arms, resting each hand on the opposite shoulder. Gently squeeze yourself, adjusting the pressure to feel comforting but not overwhelming. GUEST: Brittany Luse is an award-winning journalist, cultural critic. and host of the NPR podcast “It's Been a Minute.” Learn more about Luse: https://tinyurl.com/3bjt6v7m Follow Luse on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmluse Listen to the NPR podcast "It's Been A Minute": https://tinyurl.com/3uek8ey8 Guest: Eli Susman is a researcher and Ph.D. Candidate in Psychology at UC Berkeley Read Eli Susman's study on self-compassionate touch: https://tinyurl.com/2uh783z8 RELATED SCIENCE OF HAPPINESS EPISODES: __ __ RELATED HAPPINESS BREAK MEDIATIONS: __ __ TRANSCRIPT COMING SOON.
Letting go of our regrets can motivate us to improve and help us grow. Alex Elle, a certified breath work and writing coach, guides us through a meditation to forgive and accept ourselves. LINK TO EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: https://tinyurl.com/5dzrzm4z HOW TO DO THIS PRACTICE: 1. Take a deep breath. As you exhale, remember all you have done in the past that led you to come to be where you are today. 2. Remember that you are allowed to forgive yourself and let it go. Give yourself permission to release any shame that you’re carrying. Forgive yourself. 3. Think of the good things about yourself. Trust your worth and acknowledge that you are evolving. Remember, you are worthy of good things even when you think you are now. 4. When you’re ready, you can bring your attention back to the present moment. Take a few deep breaths in through the nose, and out through the nose. Drop your shoulder and unclench your jaw. 5. If you’d like to take this practice a step further, you can write your own letter of self forgiveness, it can start with “Dear self, I forgive you for …” TODAY’S HAPPINESS BREAK HOST: is a certified breath work coach, author and restorative writing teacher. Her new book, , will come out soon. __ Learn more about Alex and her new book: HTTPS://WWW.ALEXELLE.COM/ABOUT https://www.alexelle.com/about Follow Alex on Instagram: HTTPS://WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/ALEX/ https://www.instagram.com/alex/ Follow Alex on TikTok:HTTPS://WWW.TIKTOK.COM/@EASEWITHALEXL https://www.tiktok.com/@easewithalexl __ SCIENCE OF HAPPINESS EPISODES LIKE THIS ONE __ __ HAPPINESS BREAK RELATED EPISODES __ A Meditation for Seeking Forgiveness, With Shelly Tygielski: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/YYNVM6AV https://tinyurl.com/yynvm6av __ Message us or leave a comment on Instagram @SCIENCEOFHAPPINESSPOD https://www.instagram.com/scienceofhappinesspod/. E-mail us at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or use the hashtag #happinesspod. HELP US SHARE THE SCIENCE OF HAPPINESS! LEAVE US A 5-STAR REVIEW ON APPLE PODCASTS OR SHARE THIS LINK WITH SOMEONE WHO MIGHT LIKE THE SHOW: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/2P9H5AAP https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aap
What if you had a magic wand and could better the world in any way? What would you do? We explore a practice shown to help you find your purpose and feel more motivated, resilient and fulfilled in life. LINK TO EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: https://tinyurl.com/bp7wv7ft EPISODE SUMMARY What’s your greater purpose in life? It’s a tough question, especially if you’re feeling uncertain about your future. In this episode, our guest explores that very question—and gets handed a magic wand with the power to make the world a better place. HOW TO DO THE MAGIC WAND PRACTICE https://ggia.berkeley.edu/practice/magic_wand __ __ GUEST: Selina Bilal is a UC Berkeley undergraduate student who is studying psychology, and a Fellow at Greater Good Science Center, where we produce The Science of Happiness EXPERT GUEST: Kendall Cotton Bronk is a professor of psychology in the Division of Behavioral & Social Sciences at Claremont University. __ Connect with Bronk: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/3P5CEPY3 https://tinyurl.com/3p5cepy3 __ SCIENCE OF HAPPINESS EPISODES LIKE THIS ONE __ How to Find Your Spark in Life: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/YC8J9A4U https://tinyurl.com/yc8j9a4u __ HAPPINESS BREAK RELATED EPISODES __ A Meditation to Inspire a Sense of Purpose: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/54UUVH7Z https://tinyurl.com/54uuvh7z __ Message us or leave a comment on Instagram @SCIENCEOFHAPPINESSPOD https://www.instagram.com/scienceofhappinesspod/. E-mail us at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or use the hashtag #happinesspod. HELP US SHARE THE SCIENCE OF HAPPINESS! LEAVE US A 5-STAR REVIEW ON APPLE PODCASTS OR SHARE THIS LINK WITH SOMEONE WHO MIGHT LIKE THE SHOW: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/2P9H5AAP https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aap
Our happiness is interconnected with the well-being of others, both people and the natural world. Step outside of you can, or imagine the outdoors from wherever you are now, and join us for a meditation that’ll help us be better stewards of the natural world. LINK TO EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/Y3YFJSXA https://tinyurl.com/y3yfjsxa EPISODE SUMMARY A meditation on how we can give back to the earth, led by indigenous activist, artist, and scholar Dr. Lyla June Johnston. HOW TO DO THIS PRACTICE __ __ GUEST HOST: Dr. Lyla June Johnston is an indigenous activist, artist, and scholar from the Naaneesht'ezhi Taach'iinii clan of the Diné Nation. __ For more on her work: HTTPS://WWW.LYLAJUNE.COM/ https://www.lylajune.com/ Watch her TED talk: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/FRBE5YA9 https://tinyurl.com/frbe5ya9 Follow her on instagram: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/BDFBF8YX https://tinyurl.com/bdfbf8yx Follow her on X: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/4JJ57N25 https://tinyurl.com/4jj57n25 __ SCIENCE OF HAPPINESS EPISODES LIKE THIS ONE __ How to Do Good for the Environment (And Yourself): HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/DMSR2WKM https://tinyurl.com/dmsr2wkm __ HAPPINESS BREAK RELATED EPISODES __ Contemplating Our Interdependence With Nature, With Dekila Chungyalpa: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/ERZ2F5DE https://tinyurl.com/erz2f5de __ Message us or leave a comment on Instagram @SCIENCEOFHAPPINESSPOD https://www.instagram.com/scienceofhappinesspod/. E-mail us at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or use the hashtag #happinesspod. HELP US SHARE THE SCIENCE OF HAPPINESS! LEAVE US A 5-STAR REVIEW ON APPLE PODCASTS OR SHARE THIS LINK WITH SOMEONE WHO MIGHT LIKE THE SHOW: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/2P9H5AAP https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aap
With the U.S. election swiftly approaching, the political divide can feel overwhelming. But what happens when we recognize the limits of our knowledge? LINK TO EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: https://tinyurl.com/83a5wbkp EPISODE SUMMARY When we internally acknowledge the limits of our knowledge, we create space to engage with other points of view. Allowing new perspectives in can help us better assess arguments, and decrease hubris. We will hear from psychologists Tania Israel and Daryl Van Tongeren about embracing opinions different from our own. HOW TO DO THIS PRACTICE Reflect on an issue you feel strongly about. Ask yourself the following questions when listening to someone’s opinion that differs from your own: __ __ This episode was supported by a grant from the John Templeton Foundation, as part of our project on “Expanding Awareness of the Science of Intellectual Humility.” To learn more, go to GGSC.BERKELEY.EDU/IH http://ggsc.berkeley.edu/ih. TODAY’S GUESTS: Our guest host today is Allison Briscoe-Smith, a psychologist and Senior Fellow at The Greater Good Science Center. Tania Israel is a psychology professor at UC Santa Barbara and author of the new book . Daryl Van Tongeren is a psychology professor at Hope College and author of the book __ Learn more about Allison Briscoe-Smith: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/P3EEXVKF https://tinyurl.com/p3eexvkf Take BerkeleyX: Bridging Differences by Allison Briscoe-Smith: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/58Z9VMVB https://tinyurl.com/58z9vmvb Read by Tania Israel: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/YEYW7K6J https://tinyurl.com/yeyw7k6j __ SCIENCE OF HAPPINESS EPISODES LIKE THIS ONE: A Way to Make Work More Meaningful: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/MTPAY9JW https://tinyurl.com/mtpay9jw The Questions to Ask Yourself in an Argument: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/3UAJHP4T https://tinyurl.com/3uajhp4t When It’s Hard to Connect, Try Being Curious: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/NHZJ52VC https://tinyurl.com/nhzj52vc Making Difficult Interactions More Respectful: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/BDDAFCRW https://tinyurl.com/bddafcrw HAPPINESS BREAK RELATED EPISODES: A Meditation For Connecting In Polarized Times, With Scott Shigeoka: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/Y6E4VDSD https://tinyurl.com/y6e4vdsd Direct message us or leave a comment on Instagram @scienceofhappinesspod. You can also e-mail us at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or use the hashtag #happinesspod. HELP US SHARE THE SCIENCE OF HAPPINESS! LEAVE US A 5-STAR REVIEW ON APPLE PODCASTS OR SHARE THIS LINK WITH SOMEONE WHO MIGHT LIKE THE SHOW: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/2P9H5AAP
Loving-kindness meditation, or “metta,” has its roots in Buddhist traditions that date back thousands of years. Studies show it can help nourish your capacity to express love, feel more satisfied in life, and enhance brain areas involved in emotional processing and empathy. LINK TO EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/5H3NFWJB https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/podcasts/item/loving_kindness_meditation_dacher_keltner EPISODE SUMMARY Dacher guides us in a meditation that has been practiced over thousands of years. Together, we will mentally extend goodwill, kindness, and warmth towards others and ourselves, in a series of mantras. HOW TO DO THIS PRACTICE __ __ TODAY’S HOST: Dacher Keltner SCIENCE OF HAPPINESS EPISODES LIKE THIS ONE: __ 24 Hours of Kindness: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/3DNYE335 https://tinyurl.com/3dnye335 Being Kind Is Good for Your Health: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/2AFE5V79 https://tinyurl.com/2afe5v79 __ HAPPINESS BREAK RELATED EPISODES: __ Wrap Yourself in Kindness, With Jack Kornfield: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/3CD6XJ23 https://tinyurl.com/3cd6xj23 How to Be Your Own Best Friend, with Kristin Neff: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/YC8EMECM https://tinyurl.com/yc8emecm __ This episode was supported by a grant from the JOHN TEMPLETON FOUNDATION https://www.templeton.org/ on "Spreading Love Through the Media". Tell us about your experiences practicing loving-kindness meditation! Direct message us or leave a comment on Instagram @SCIENCEOFHAPPINESSPOD https://www.instagram.com/scienceofhappinesspod/. You can also e-mail us at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or use the hashtag #happinesspod. HELP US SHARE THE SCIENCE OF HAPPINESS! LEAVE US A 5-STAR REVIEW ON APPLE PODCASTS OR SHARE THIS LINK WITH SOMEONE WHO MIGHT LIKE THE SHOW: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/2P9H5AAP
Have you ever known you were dreaming while you were asleep? Our guests try practices to help induce lucid dreams, and we hear what they can teach us about consciousness.
Take a moment to appreciate the beauty and vastness of the sky. Dacher Keltner guides us through a practice of pausing to turn your gaze to the sky as a pathway to awe, creativity and wonder. LINK TO EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/YC5XFWP4 https://tinyurl.com/yc5xfwp4 PRACTICE: __ __ TODAY’S HAPPINESS BREAK HOST: is the host of the Greater Good Science Center’s award-winning podcast, THE SCIENCE OF HAPPINESS https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-science-of-happiness/id1340505607 and is a co-instructor of the GGSC’s popular online course of the same name. He’s also the founding director of the Greater Good Science Center and a professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley. Check out Dacher’s most recent book, https://tinyurl.com/4j4hcvyt RESOURCES FROM THE GREATER GOOD SCIENCE CENTER: Why we Should Look up at the Sky (Podcast): HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/FN3BTTW6 https://tinyurl.com/fn3bttw6 Six Ways to Incorporate Awe into Your Daily Life: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/3J5HDTJ7 https://tinyurl.com/3j5hdtj7 How to Choose a Type of Mindfulness Meditation: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/PY6B729H https://tinyurl.com/py6b729h How Nature Can Make You Kinder, Happier, and More Creative: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/2FMPDPKJ https://tinyurl.com/2fmpdpkj Why is Nature so Good For Your Mental Health? HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/23ZAVTH3 https://tinyurl.com/23zavth3 Tell us about your experiences with wildlife! Leave a comment on Instagram @SCIENCEOFHAPPINESSPOD https://www.instagram.com/scienceofhappinesspod/#. You can also e-mail us at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or use the hashtag #happinesspod. HELP US SHARE THE SCIENCE OF HAPPINESS! LEAVE US A 5-STAR REVIEW ON APPLE PODCASTS OR SHARE THIS LINK WITH SOMEONE WHO MIGHT LIKE THE SHOW: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/2P9H5AAP https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aap
Safe encounters with wildlife can deepen our appreciation for nature, and for other people. Craig Foster of “My Octopus Teacher” shares his transformational experiences with the animals of the ocean. LINK TO EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/MURMD98B https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/podcasts/item/the_healing_effects_of_experiencing_wildlife_craig_foster_my_octopus_teacher Episode Summary Venturing into nature and experiencing wildlife can be transformative. Safe interactions with wildlife encourage us to be more in relation with nature, and each other. In this episode, we hear from Craig Foster of “My Octopus Teacher” and how his interactions with sea creatures have changed his life. We also hear from environmental researcher Liz Lev about the effect on our well-being that being in wild spaces provides. How To Do This Practice: The next time you want to explore the outdoors, find the “wildest” space you can think of. Explore the “wild spaces” in your neighborhood or city, and reflect on your experiences with wildlife. Today’s guests: Craig Foster is the director of My Octopus Teacher, and the co-founder of Sea Change Project. Liz Lev is an environmental researcher and research associate at Harder+Company who that specializes in the intersections of environmental and climate justice issues, mental health, and urban planning. __ Learn more about Craig’s work:HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/TYCTR6FU https://tinyurl.com/tyctr6fu Watch My Octopus Teacher: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/E87EDT4B https://tinyurl.com/e87edt4b __ SCIENCE OF HAPPINESS EPISODES LIKE THIS ONE: Experience Nature Wherever You Are, with Dacher (Encore): HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/AJ34S585 https://tinyurl.com/aj34s585 How Exploring New Places Can Make You Feel Happier: https://tinyurl.com/4ufn2tpn Why We Should Look up at the Sky: https://tinyurl.com/mpn9vj2t How Birdsong Can Help Your Mental Health: https://tinyurl.com/3tey4rb5 HAPPINESS BREAK RELATED EPISODES: Feeling the Awe of Nature From Anywhere, With Dacher: https://tinyurl.com/y4mm4wu9 How to Ground Yourself: https://tinyurl.com/2wv69kws Tell us about your experiences with wildlife! Direct message us or leave a comment on Instagram @SCIENCEOFHAPPINESSPOD https://www.instagram.com/scienceofhappinesspod/. You can also e-mail us at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or use the hashtag #happinesspod. HELP US SHARE THE SCIENCE OF HAPPINESS! LEAVE US A 5-STAR REVIEW ON APPLE PODCASTS OR SHARE THIS LINK WITH SOMEONE WHO MIGHT LIKE THE SHOW: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/2P9H5AAP
Just a few moments of tuning into nature can make you feel more inspired, connected, and less lonely. Let us guide you through a five-minute noticing nature practice — you don't even have to leave your neighborhood. LINK TO EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: https://tinyurl.com/aj34s585 HOW TO DO THIS PRACTICE: __ __ TODAY’S HAPPINESS BREAK HOST: Dacher Keltner is the host of the Greater Good Science Center’s award-winning podcast, The Science of Happiness and is a co-instructor of the GGSC’s popular online course of the same name. He’s also the founding director of the GGSC and a professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley. IF YOU ENJOYED THIS HAPPINESS BREAK, YOU MAY ALSO LIKE THESE HAPPINESS BREAKS: Feeling the Awe of Nature From Anywhere, With Dacher: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/Y4MM4WU9 https://tinyurl.com/y4mm4wu9 How to Ground Yourself: https://tinyurl.com/2wv69kws CHECK OUT THESE EPISODES OF THE SCIENCE OF HAPPINESS Walk Outside with Inside Out’s Pete Docter: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/23VPUJ8J https://tinyurl.com/23vpuj8j Why We Should Look up at the Sky: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/MPN9VJ2T https://tinyurl.com/mpn9vj2t How Birdsong Can Help Your Mental Health: https://tinyurl.com/3tey4rb5 TELL US ABOUT YOUR NATURE EXPERIENCE! Direct message us or leave a comment on Instagram @SCIENCEOFHAPPINESSPOD https://www.instagram.com/scienceofhappinesspod/. You can also e-mail us at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or use the hashtag #happinesspod. HELP US SHARE THE SCIENCE OF HAPPINESS! LEAVE US A 5-STAR REVIEW ON APPLE PODCASTS OR SHARE THIS LINK WITH SOMEONE WHO MIGHT LIKE THE SHOW: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/2P9H5AAP
Exploring novel places and having diverse experiences is important to our well-being and can make us feel happier. This week, Ike Sriskandarajah, a producer for This American Life, takes us with him as he explores new parts of New York City. LINK TO EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: https://tinyurl.com/seystc6c EPISODE SUMMARY: Shaking yourself out of your normal routine can be hard–but studies show it’s worth it. Creating space for variety, novelty, and awe in our lives is essential for our well-being. Exploring new and diverse environments in our daily life can lead to better stress resilience and can make us feel better. In this episode, investigative journalist Ike Sriskandarajah, shares his experience exploring new places with his family in New York City. Then, we hear from Aaron Heller, a neuroscientist and assistant professor at the University of Miami's Department of Psychology, who studies how exposure to novel places can make us happier. Break out of your usual daily routine–take a route to work you have never taken before, or visit a park you’ve never gone to. Explore a place you have never been to. TODAY’S GUESTS: Ike Sriskandarajah is an investigative journalist and Producer at Aaron Heller is a neuroscientist and assistant professor at the University of Miami's Department of Psychology. __ Learn more about Ike’s work: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/4AUUK7PD https://tinyurl.com/4auuk7pd Learn about Ike’s work at Reveal: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/SERHUYT5 https://tinyurl.com/serhuyt5 Learn more about Aaron’s research: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/YXRPM944 https://tinyurl.com/yxrpm944 Follow Aaron on X: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/RR3AC6JW https://tinyurl.com/rr3ac6jw Connect with Aaron on LinkedIn: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/36TRSAUX https://tinyurl.com/36trsaux __ SCIENCE OF HAPPINESS EPISODES LIKE THIS ONE __ How Awe Brings Us Together: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/BDDAVVBV https://tinyurl.com/bddavvbv __ HAPPINESS BREAK RELATED EPISODES __ Feeling the Awe of Nature From Anywhere, With Dacher: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/Y4MM4WU9 https://tinyurl.com/y4mm4wu9 Feeling the Awe of Nature From Anywhere, With Dacher HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/Y4MM4WU9 https://tinyurl.com/y4mm4wu9 __ TELL US ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE EXPLORING NEW PLACES! Leave a comment on Instagram @scienceofhappinesspod, or e-mail us at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or use the hashtag #happinesspod. HELP US SHARE THE SCIENCE OF HAPPINESS! Leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or share this link with someone who might like the show: https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aap
CONNECT TO YOURSELF AND THE LAND YOU STAND ON IN UNDER 10 MINUTES WITH THIS GROUNDING PRACTICE LED BY INDIGENOUS SCHOLAR DR. YURIA CELIDWEN. LINK TO EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/3AT8HRSU https://tinyurl.com/3at8hrsu HOW TO DO THIS PRACTICE: __ __ TODAY’S HAPPINESS BREAK HOST: is an Indigenous studies, cultural psychology, and contemplative science scholar of Indigenous Nahua and Maya descent. She also works at the United Nations to advance the rights of Indigenous peoples and the Earth. Learn more about Dr. Celidwen’s work: HTTPS://WWW.YURIACELIDWEN.COM/ https://www.yuriacelidwen.com/ MORE RESOURCES FROM UC BERKELEY’S GREATER GOOD SCIENCE CENTER: __ Listen to Dr. Yuria Celidwen on The Science of Happiness episode about listening to your elders: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/YR2YDK43 https://tinyurl.com/yr2ydk43 Does Nature Make You More Mindful? HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/4WCREU9Z https://tinyurl.com/4wcreu9z Why You Need More Nature in Your Life: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/YE282E5D https://tinyurl.com/ye282e5d Being Around Nature Helps You Love Your Body: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/57D5NTXM https://tinyurl.com/57d5ntxm How Modern Life Became Disconnected From Nature: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/YC6U73F9 https://tinyurl.com/yc6u73f9 Listen to The Science of Happiness episode featuring podcast host Krista Tippett, on Being Grounded in Your Body: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/8T7RR4YY https://tinyurl.com/8t7rr4yy __ TELL US ABOUT YOUR GROUNDING PRACTICE EXPERIENCE! DIRECT MESSAGE US OR LEAVE A COMMENT ON INSTAGRAM @SCIENCEOFHAPPINESSPOD. YOU CAN ALSO E-MAIL US AT HAPPINESSPOD@BERKELEY.EDU OR USE THE HASHTAG #HAPPINESSPOD. HELP US SHARE THE SCIENCE OF HAPPINESS! LEAVE US A 5-STAR REVIEW ON APPLE PODCASTS OR SHARE THIS LINK WITH SOMEONE WHO MIGHT LIKE THE SHOW: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/2P9H5AAP
Everyday activities, such as cleaning and gardening, can be sources of joy and opportunities for mindfulness. This week, our guest shares his experience practicing mindful sweeping on the temple stairs in Kyoto, Japan with Shoukei Matsumoto, a Buddhist monk. LINK TO EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: https://tinyurl.com/3r6ju2wh EPISODE SUMMARY: Many of us see yard work as a chore. But what if we shift our perspective and instead see it as an opportunity to practice mindfulness? This week on The Science of Happiness, our guest shares his experience of sweeping the steps of a Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan, and the mindfulness and mental processes involved in the practice. Then, we hear from Shoukei Matsumoto, a Buddhist monk and author, about the practice of cleaning as a form of mindfulness. Practice: The next time you’re tending to your garden, picking up trash on your sidewalk, watering the plants, or doing other chores, spend a few minutes practicing mindfulness by slowing down and really being present with the activity and your own body's movements while you do it. TODAY’S GUESTS: is a Canadian who has been living and working in Japan for five years. is a Buddhist monk and cleaning enthusiast in Kyoto, Japan. He is the author of “A Monk’s Guide to a Clean House and Mind,” which has been translated into 18 languages, including English __ Learn more about Interbeing: HTTPS://WWW.INTERBEING.CO.JP/EN https://www.interbeing.co.jp/en __ MORE EPISODES LIKE THIS ONE: How to Make Work More Satisfying: https://tinyurl.com/3fa925yf Why We Should Seek Beauty in the Everyday Life: https://tinyurl.com/26dskv38 RELATED HAPPINESS BREAKS (a short, guided practice by The Science of Happiness) Contemplating Our Interdependence With Nature, With Dekila Chungyalpa: https://tinyurl.com/erz2f5de Happiness Break: How to Be in Harmony in Nature—Wherever You Are, With Yuria Celidwen: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/YNXEEB7A https://tinyurl.com/ynxeeb7a Tell us about your mindful gardening experiences! Email us at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or use the hashtag #happinesspod. Help us share The Science of Happiness! Leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or share this link with someone who might like the show: https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aap
Last week on The Science of Happiness, we discussed the scientifically proven health benefits of the ancient Chinese practice of qigong with Harvard psychologist Peter Wayne. This week, we practice a standing meditation, with qigong master Sherry Zhang. LINK TO EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: https://tinyurl.com/3t5wdexe HOW TO DO THIS PRACTICE: __ __ TODAY’S HAPPINESS BREAK HOST: Sherry Zhang is the founder of Tai Chi Solutions and a Master Teacher of Qigong. She is faculty at Pacific College of Health and Sciences in New York City. __ Learn more about Sherry’s work:HTTPS://WWW.TAICHISOLUTION.ORG/ https://www.taichisolution.org/ Follow Sherry on instagram: HTTPS://WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/TAICHISOLUTION/ https://www.instagram.com/taichisolution/ Follow Sherry on Linked-In: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/YWCA6ND5 https://tinyurl.com/ywca6nd5 Follow Sherry on Facebook: HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/SHERRYTAICHI/ https://www.facebook.com/sherrytaichi/ Follow Tai Chi Solutions on Facebook: HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/TAICHISOLUTION/ https://www.facebook.com/taichisolution/ __ IF YOU ENJOYED THIS HAPPINESS BREAK, YOU MAY ALSO LIKE THESE ONES: Walk Your Way to Calm (Guided Meditation), with Dacher: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/4W37ZWPY https://tinyurl.com/4w37zwpy A Walking Meditation With Dan Harris of 10% Happier: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/4DV4CKZC https://tinyurl.com/4dv4ckzc CHECK OUT THESE EPISODES OF THE SCIENCE OF HAPPINESS ABOUT MOVEMENT-BASED PRACTICES: How Qigong Can Calm Your Mind and Body: https://tinyurl.com/2ywsck4e Episode 5: Walk Outside with Inside Out’s Pete Docter: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/2NFC94ZB https://tinyurl.com/2nfc94zb WE LOVE HEARING FROM YOU! TELL US WHAT MOVEMENT BASED PRACTICE YOU’VE TRIED! Email us at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or use the hashtag #happinesspod. Find us on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/6s39rzus Share this Happiness Break!
Studies show qigong can strengthen your body and mind, and reduce cortisol levels. We explore this Chinese meditative movement practice that dates back over 4,000 years. LINK TO EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: https://tinyurl.com/2ywsck4e EPISODE SUMMARY: Finding calm in your day to day life can be stressful, especially in a world that seems to be moving at such a rapid pace. Your life can change in an instant– and it can be really difficult to get yourself on your feet again. On this episode of The Science of Happiness, Ace Boral, an Oakland-based chef, joins us to try Qigong. Ace talks about his health struggles over the past four years, and how incorporating Qigong into his life over the past few weeks has helped him find mental clarity, emotional balance, and confidence in himself. Then we hear from Harvard psychologist Peter Wayne who has practiced and studied the benefits of Xigong. TODAY’S GUESTS: Ace Boral is an Oakland-based chef. Peter Wayne is an Associate Professor of Medicine, and serves as the Director for the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, jointly based at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. __ __ MORE EPISODES LIKE THIS ONE: __ Moving Through Space, with Dacher Keltner: https://tinyurl.com/3u844n4d __ TELL US ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCES WITH QIGONG. EMAIL US AT HAPPINESSPOD@BERKELEY.EDU OR USE THE HASHTAG #HAPPINESSPOD. HELP US SHARE THE SCIENCE OF HAPPINESS! Leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or share this link with someone who might like the show: https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aap
Here's a favorite of ours: visualize your best possible self and tap into your inherent enough-ness with this guided meditation by Justin Michael Williams. LINK TO EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: https://tinyurl.com/ytakaaep HOW TO DO THIS PRACTICE: __ __ TODAY’S HAPPINESS BREAK HOST: works at the intersection of social justice, mindfulness, and personal growth — with a touch of music that brings it all to life. __ Learn More About Justin’s work: HTTPS://WWW.JUSTINMICHAELWILLIAMS.COM/ https://www.justinmichaelwilliams.com/ Listen to Justin’s debut album: HTTPS://WWW.JUSTINMICHAELWILLIAMS.COM/MUSIC https://www.justinmichaelwilliams.com/music Follow Justin on Twitter: HTTPS://TWITTER.COM/WEJUSTWILL https://twitter.com/wejustwill Follow Justin on Instagram: HTTPS://WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/WEJUSTWILL/ https://www.instagram.com/wejustwill __ MORE EPISODES LIKE THIS ONE How to Find Your Best Possible Self HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/6T3UWS8D https://tinyurl.com/6t3uws8d Happiness Break: Visualizing Your Best Self in Relationships, With Dacher Keltner HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/5CX6CD5Z https://tinyurl.com/5cx6cd5z Happiness Break: Visualizing Your Purpose, With Dacher HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/39APT7TB https://tinyurl.com/39apt7tb WE LOVE HEARING FROM YOU! TELL US WHAT BRINGS YOU FEELINGS OF AWE. EMAIL US AT HAPPINESSPOD@BERKELEY.EDU OR USE THE HASHTAG #HAPPINESSPOD. FIND US ON SPOTIFY: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/6S39RZUS https://tinyurl.com/6s39rzus HELP US SHARE HAPPINESS BREAK!
SHE'S THE WORLD'S LEADING ANIMAL BEHAVIORIST AND AN AUTISM ADVOCACY LEADER. GUEST TEMPLE GRANDIN SHARES WHAT KIND OF SUPPORT SYSTEMS LED HER TO SUCCESS, AND WE HEAR ABOUT HOW COMMUNITY, AND LACK THEREOF, AFFECTS OUR HEALTH AND ABILITY TO SUCCEED. LINK TO EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: https://tinyurl.com/y82vw4dv EPISODE SUMMARY: Having strong relationships is vital to our well-being. We tend to be happier and healthier when we’re involved with community. Today’s guest is the world-famous scientist Temple Grandin. She was born with autism, which led her to be socially isolated from her peers. Join us on this episode of The Science of Happiness to hear about how Grandin credits her support networks for her success and making her into the person she is today. We’ll also look at the science behind the health repercussions of not having strong social networks. Feeling socially disconnected can lead to a higher risk of dementia, cardiovascular disease, cancer and more. TODAY’S GUESTS: Temple Grandin is a leading scientist, prominent author and speaker on autism and animal behaviors. Today, she teaches courses at Colorado State University. Her latest book is Visual Thinking: The Hidden Gifts of People Who Think in Pictures, Patterns, and Abstractions. Temple’s Website: https://www.templegrandin.com Follow Temple on Twitter: https://twitter.com/drtemplegrandin?lang=en Check out Temple’s Latest Book: https://tinyurl.com/3tftxpck Tegan Cruwyis is a clinical psychologist at The National Australian University who studies social connection and how loneliness and chronic isolation are literally toxic. Learn more about Cruwyis and her work: https://tinyurl.com/3etuvket Follow Cruwyis on Google Scholar: https://tinyurl.com/yc5ujhaj RESOURCES FROM THE GREATER GOOD SCIENCE CENTER: FOUR WAYS SOCIAL SUPPORT MAKES YOU MORE RESILIENT HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/34NTCE8U WHAT IS SOCIAL CONNECTION? HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/NK8CRBBZ IS SOCIAL CONNECTION THE BEST PATH TO HAPPINESS? HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/4WXC66TN WHY ARE WE SO WIRED TO CONNECT? HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/UTTPPD3P TELL US ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCES WITH BUILDING SOCIAL CONNECTIONS. EMAIL US AT HAPPINESSPOD@BERKELEY.EDU OR USE THE HASHTAG #HAPPINESSPOD. HELP US SHARE THE SCIENCE OF HAPPINESS! LEAVE US A 5-STAR REVIEW ON APPLE PODCASTS OR SHARE THIS LINK WITH SOMEONE WHO MIGHT LIKE THE SHOW: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/2P9H5AAP TRANSCRIPT TO COME.
Experiencing awe can help us slow down and connect to the world around us. So how can we harness the power of this feeling? Host Dacher Keltner leads us in a colorful meditation to bring about awe. LINK TO EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/3E9CYKY5 https://tinyurl.com/3e9cyky5 PRACTICE: __ __ Today’s guests: Dacher Keltner is the host of the Greater Good Science Center’s award-winning podcast, The Science of Happiness and is a co-instructor of the GGSC’s popular online course of the same name. He’s also the founding director of the Greater Good Science Center and a professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley. MORE EPISODES LIKE THIS ONE: How Awe Brings Us Together HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/BDHY4SJ5 https://tinyurl.com/bdhy4sj5 How Music Evokes Awe https://tinyurl.com/mpkww4j9 Happiness Break: Awe for Others, With Dacher HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/3PTWH66J https://tinyurl.com/3ptwh66j Feeling the Awe of Nature from Anywhere, with Dacher Keltner HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/4R7RJAXF https://tinyurl.com/4r7rjaxf WE LOVE HEARING FROM YOU! TELL US WHAT BRINGS YOU FEELINGS OF AWE. EMAIL US AT HAPPINESSPOD@BERKELEY.EDU OR USE THE HASHTAG #HAPPINESSPOD. FIND US ON SPOTIFY: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/6S39RZUS https://tinyurl.com/6s39rzus Help us share Happiness Break! Leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and share this link with someone who might like the show: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/2P9H5AAP https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aap Rate us on Spotify: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/6S39RZUS https://tinyurl.com/6s39rzus
Hearing birdsong can help us feel less anxious https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36229489/, recover from stress https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0272494413000650 faster, and even reduce muscle tension https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1937586715619741 ... but can it help us fall asleep? Drew Ackerman of Sleep With Me podcast listens to recordings of birdsongs to see if it'll help with insomnia. LINK TO EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/5N7SXJTB https://tinyurl.com/5n7sxjtb * EPISODE SUMMARY: Drew Ackerman, aka Scooter of Sleep With Me Podcast, has always struggled to get to sleep. Even as an anxious kid, worries would keep his mind churning as the night wore on. For our show, he tried a science-backed practice for easing stress: listening to the twitter of birds. He discovered the recordings reminded him of easeful summer afternoons, transporting him to another time and place. The research bears this out: different sounds affect us in different ways. For many, birdsong lowers our body’s stress responses. And for Drew, that helped him get a little sleepier. PRACTICE: __ __ * TODAY’S GUESTS: You might know Drew as his alias, “Dearest Scooter,” the host of Sleep with Me podcast. Drew struggles with bedtime worries and has a history of insomnia himself, but he’s great at helping others sleep. Sleep with Me is one of the most listened-to sleep podcasts. On each episode, “Scooter” lulls listeners off to dreamland with meandering bedtime stories intended to lose your interest. Listen to Sleep With Me Podcast: https://pod.link/sleep-with-me https://pod.link/sleep-with-me __ __ * is a post-doctoral fellow at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development in Germany. is a professor of Psychology at Södertörn University in Sweden. is a professor of Environmental Psychology at the University of Surrey in the UK. * MORE EPISODES LIKE THIS ONE: The Science of a Good Night's Sleep (Sleep Tips, With Drew Ackerman) - https://tinyurl.com/3wrwzrxy Why You Should Snap Pictures of Nature (Appreciating The Outdoors, With Tejal Rao) - https://tinyurl.com/erwdvwrw RELATED HAPPINESS BREAKS (a short, guided practice by The Science of Happiness) Restore Through Silence, With Tricia Hersey - https://tinyurl.com/4h8ww8ub Feeling the Awe of Nature from Anywhere, With Dacher Keltner - https://tinyurl.com/43v74ryn * TELL US WHAT SOUNDS RELAX YOU! YOU CAN EVEN SEND US A RECORDING, WE’D LOVE TO HEAR IT. EMAIL US AT HAPPINESSPOD@BERKELEY.EDU OR USE THE HASHTAG #HAPPINESSPOD. Help us share The Science of Happiness! LEAVE US A 5-STAR REVIEW ON APPLE PODCASTS AND SHARE THIS LINK WITH SOMEONE WHO MIGHT LIKE THE SHOW: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/2P9H5AAP https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aap
